So could Terry Pratchett's sci-fi helmet really halt Alzheimer's?

Bestselling author Sir Terry Pratchett has been testing out a revolutionary helmet which is claimed to slow down or even reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.

Science fiction writer Sir Terry, 60, who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2007, wore the strange-looking headgear once a day for three months and noticed a small improvement, his agent confirmed.

The prototype anti-dementia helmet, which must be worn for ten minutes each day, was designed by British GP Dr Gordon Dougal.

High-tech: Sir Terry Pratchett in the infrared helmet shaped for him from a cast of his head

It works by directing intense bursts of infrared light into the brain to stimulate the growth of brain cells.

Low-level infrared is thought to encourage cell growth in tissue and encourages it to repair.

Usual headwear: Sir Terry Pratchett

Dr Dougal believes it can reverse symptoms of dementia – such as memory loss and anxiety – after just four weeks and experts have described it as ‘potentially life-changing’.

He said: ‘I have spoken to Sir Terry. He is very concerned about the impact of his dementia on his work. He is scouring all of the latest literature about dementia.

‘He was assessed by a computer-based system at the outset. Sir Terry used the helmet for about three months. Over that period there was a small improvement. Not significant, which was a bit disappointing, but it didn’t get any worse.’

To ensure the helmet was a good fit, a friend of Sir Terry made a cast of the author’s head.

The helmet was then clamped to the back of an armchair at the recently knighted writer’s cottage home.

Sir Terry’s literary agent Colin Smythe said: ‘Yes, Sir Terry was using some sort of helmet and I think it’s going to be in a TV documentary which will be screened in February. He just wants to try everything.’

Dr Dougal, from Peterlee, County Durham, has already developed a hand-held gadget which uses the same technology to stimulate cold sores to heal themselves.